Thanks to Commissioners Smith, James, Morris and McClure, WATERMARKE Project Withdrawn

Letters to the editor
Four county commissioners got it right on North Beach development scheme
Posted: September 25, 2016 - 12:03am
ST. AUGUSTINE RECORD

Four county commissioners got it right on North Beach development scheme

Editor: The Watermarke Resort project was halted Tuesday when attorney Ellen Avery-Smith withdrew the proposal, thereby preventing a vote by commissioners.

It is significant Commissioner Rachel Bennett’s motion to approve the project failed because the rest of the commissioners declined to offer a second. Commissioner Jay Morris moved to deny the project, but was outmaneuvered by attorney Ellen Avery-Smith with the withdrawal. This parliamentary action could have a bearing on whether or not the project, represented by Steve Magiera, is resubmitted. The proposal was not approved. But, thanks to Avery-Smith, it was not denied. They’re free to regroup and take another shot.

Bennett stated, at some length, she had to adhere strictly to the law and evidence presented; thus her motion to approve. In doing so, she discounted 20 citizens and attorney Jane West’s experts who presented detailed community arguments against the proposal. But the most insidious shading to the procedure was the “text amendment” Magiera and his investors wanted: in effect, a guarantee that if things don’t work out for the resort and the market tanks, they’ll have the amendment and the Comprehensive Plan change in their pocket to ensure success.

They sought to eliminate financial risk. Sorry, but business is a risk/reward situation. No business intends to fail. But there is always risk.

As reported in The Record, Morris “nailed it.” He understood they were trying to provide economic cover for themselves, and that the government is not in the business of trying to protect economic investment. This has often been a factor in real estate and development proposals before both the county and city commissions. When recognized or pointed out, it should be cause for immediate proposal rejection.

John H. Danahy